Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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3080. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure the timely and regular community availability of the drug tocilizumab to pharmacies other than hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the competent authority for medicines in Ireland, have been notified by the marketing authorisation holder that there is a shortage of tocilizumab-containing medicines caused by increasing demand for the active ingredient. The shortage is not specific to the Irish market and is global in nature, affecting multiple countries.

The company which supplies tocilizumab products in Ireland has confirmed that it has implemented measures that aim to increase supply to prevent future shortages and mitigate the impact of the current shortages. The company has also stated that it expects supply to patients in Ireland to resume in September. The HPRA has published information concerning the shortage on its website, including a communication from the company which has been sent to healthcare professionals.

If a patient has any concerns regarding their treatment with this or any other medication, they should discuss this directly with their doctor or pharmacist.